River Aire

Location | Hunslet, Leeds, UK

The River Aire is a major river in Yorkshire, England, 92 miles in length. Part of the river below Leeds is canalised, and is known as the Aire and Calder Navigation.

The River Aire runs through some of the most joyous and impressive countryside in the UK. Below Skipton, the valley becomes increasingly urban bringing the river to the doorstep of 100,000s of people.

Rivers, ditches and wonderful wildlife habitats attract birds such as grey herons as well as provide frogs, newts, fish and dragonflies a healthy habitat to thrive. The colourful flowers provide nectar for insects and the reeds and bulrushes provide shelter for nesting birds.

Meet The Wildlife!

Mute Swan

Swans are close relatives with geese and ducks. They live for approximately 20-30 years and are the largest members of the Waterfowl family.

The Type of Swan that can be found on the River Aire is called Mute Swan which is the elegant bird of Russian ballets and European fairy tales

A male swan is called a Cob, and a female swan is called a Pen. A baby swan is called a Cygnet.

Did You Know: A Swan has up to 25,000 feathers and can fly up to 95 Km/h!

Click below to hear what a Swan Call sounds like.

Male Mallard Duck

Male and female Mallard Ducks look very different most males have a green head of feathers where females are typically brown.

Male Mallards don't quack they produce two tone calls so if you hear a Quack its likely to be a female.

A male Mallard is called a Drake, and a female Mallard is called a Hen. A baby Mallard is called a Duckling.

Did you Know: When mallards migrate they fly up to 90 Km/h and at an average altitude of 10,000ft!

Click below to hear what a Male Mallard Ducks Call sounds like.

Female Brown Mallard Duck

The Female Brown Mallard duck known as a 'Hen', can often be confused with an adolescent male Mallard Duck.

It is with female Mallard Ducks that you will hear a 'Quack'.

Like their male counterparts Mallard Ducks can be found in almost any wetland habitat. Unlike other species of Ducks, Mallard Ducks dabble on the water and dip their heads to find food.

Did You Know: A Female Brown Mallard Duck can lay anywhere between 1- 13 eggs!

Click below to hear what a Female Brown Mallard Ducks Call sounds like.

Canada Goose

The Canada Goose is historically known as the “giant” Canada goose and are known to be the largest geese in the world.

The female is called a goose and the male is a gander. The young are know as goslings..

Originally from North America the Geese fly in a "V Shape" flock and migrate south in winter time. Did you know that the oldest goose in the wild was said to be 30 years and four months old

Click below to hear what a Canada Goose sounds like.

Magpie

A Magpie is often known as a bird attracted to shiny things, and they are! They can live up to 22 years and can be found anywhere from Ireland to Japan.

Magpies are omnivorous birds. They eat young birds and eggs, small mammals, insects, acorns, grain, and other vegetable substances.

Did you know: The magpie is believed not only to be among the most intelligent of birds but among the most intelligent of all animals and are able to recognise themselves in the mirror which makes them one of only a few species to possess this capability.

Click below to hear what a Magpie Call sounds like.

Woodland Pigeon

The Common wood pigeon is a large member of the dove and pigeon family and can live up to 17 years.

The Pigeon can lay up to 2 eggs when hatched, the baby Pigeons are called 'Squabs'. Unlike most birds, both sexes of pigeons produce "milk" to feed their chicks.

The body feathers of pigeons have very dense, fluffy bases, are attached loosely into the skin, and drop out easily. This adaptation possibly serves as a predator avoidance mechanism as large numbers of feathers fall out in the attacker's mouth if the pigeon is snatched, helping the bird to escape.

Click below to hear what a Pigeon Call sounds like.

Herring Gull

The European herring gull is one of the best-known of all gulls along the shores of Western Europe, it has a long life span of up to 49 years!

These Gulls lay between 2-4 eggs when hatched called 'Chicks'

European herring gulls frequently drop shelled prey from a height to break the shell. In addition, they have been observed using pieces of bread as bait with which to catch goldfish.

Did You Know: European herring gulls frequently rinse food items in water in an attempt to clean them or render them more palatable before swallowing.

Click below to hear what a Herring Gull Call sounds like.